My boys are amazing little creatures who challenge, excite, laugh, and play their ways through each day. They also have a knack for driving me, my husband, and each other crazy. They are special, each in their own way. Each with their own individual characteristics which make them wonderful, that make them special.
David and Joaquin are night and day. David likes to stick to himself. Joaquin is a social butterfly. One of the things they have in common, other than being brothers, is the fact that they both have special health needs. David has been diagnosed with ADHD since he was 5. He has been treated with medication management and therapy. This past fall he was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. He also has severe allergies and asthma which have been treated since he was two. Last year David was diagnosed with a sleep disorder, which caused David tocollapse at school several times and leading to a lot of testing and a lot of missed school. He presented like a child with silent seizures, which led to EEG testing and trips to the neurologist. With 5 specialists at two different hospitals and multiple doctor's office we spend a lot of time going to the doctor.
Joaquin has had multiple health issues since birth. He was born a smurf, meaning he was blue and barely breathing. After several attempts to work on him and get him breathing, he was ultimately taken to the NICU where he stayed for two weeks. During his time in the NICU we learned he had severe reflux disorder and apnea with heart rate decelerations. When he finally came home it was on a heart/apnea monitor, which he had for six months. Shortly after Joaquin was released home, we found out he had an anaphalatic allergy to latex. We then found, as we began introducing solid foods, that he was allergic to dairy, soy, and bananas (a common allergy in conjunction with latex). As he reached a year we found he was also allergic to eggs and tree nut. As Joaquin has gotten older he has been diagnosed with asthma and seasonal allergies as well. He further has auditory and tactile sensory issues. Joaquin currently has three specialists he sees regularly. As I said we spend a lot of time going to the doctor.
So while I find my children unique and special, many see them as special needs. Just like all children they have special needs; love, compassion, encouragement, and yes, they do have special medical needs. What I have found through the process of being a mom (and a therapist, for that matter), is that while labels (diagnoses) have importance in terms of treatment, they do not define who or what my children are. My children define who they are and what they will be.
David and Joaquin
November 2011
Go Bears!
2011
Tubing
January 2011
At the Arboretum
2010
Styling in their Shades
2010
Brothers
Summer 2008
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